TREATMENT METHODS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA AMONG CROATIAN STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

SUMMARY This study aimed to determine which treatment methods university students use to relieve menstrual pain. The study was conducted in April 2021 and included 861 female students at the University of Zagreb. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire containing 22 questions regarding menstrual characteristics and pain management. The study found that 366 (42.5%) students asked advice from a healthcare professional regarding primary dysmenorrhea and pain management. Pharmacological methods were used by 780 (90.6%) and non-pharmacological methods by 648 (75.3%) students. Most commonly, students were advised to use these methods by their families (73.8% and 64.5%, respectively). The most common drug used to treat painful menstruation was ibuprofen (84.7%). Local application of heat (78.7%) and taking an antalgic position (75.2%) were the most common alternative methods for relieving pain. Students who perceived their pain to be more severe were usually more likely to seek advice from a health worker and use both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in pain management. Our study found that Croatian students were more likely to self-medicate than to seek advice from a health professional regarding painful menstruation. They use both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.